Niall wins silver and bronze medals in Antrim

Brian Kelly

Local Para Badminton star Niall McVeigh claimed a silver and a bronze medal at the Irish Para Badminton International held at Antrim Forum at the weekend.

It was a successful event for Poyntzpass man Niall, a two-times world champion, although a gold medal proved illusive.

There was some disappointment for Niall when he failed in his bid to wrestle the mens singles crown in the Short Stature 6 Class from current world champion Didin Taresoh of Malaysia.

Since losing to Taresoh last September in his opening match of the World Championships in Stoke Mandeville, all Niall McVeigh’s preparations have been targeted towards gaining revenge and where better than at home in Northern Ireland to do it and when I talked to him on the eve of the competition he was certainly confident that he had a game plan to win.

“With my coach we have been watching and analysing video material of his matches and there are a few areas which we have been working on and I will certainly be better prepared and able to test him than we were able to do in the World Championships.”

Niall swept through the early rounds, securing his quarter final spot against one of England’s most promising youngsters Isaak Dalglish.

His 21-13 21-13 victory was what we had come to expect of the Alpha player and then it was England’s promising Jack Shephard, who stood between the 24 year old and a place in the final.

McVeigh was however to find himself one set behind as Shephard raced to the opening set but that has never concerned Niall in the past.

He just built up his game playing each point and he levelled by taking the second 21-18 and whilst there was little between the pair as the match approached the hour mark, McVeigh seized the opportunity to book his place in the final 24-22.

Didin Taresoh awaited Niall in the final and the Irish No1 was unable to ‘keep up the good start he had made’ and lost 21-15 21-10.

In the Mens Doubles, Niall partnered Chun Yim Wong with the pair reaching the semi-final, where they met the top seeds Krysten Coombs and Jack Shephard of England but their challenge ended in defeat 21-9 21-9 with a hard earned bronze medal.